But the county’s vaccine supplies remain limited.
Frederick, Md (KM) Residents of Frederick County age 65 and older will be receiving the COVID-19 vaccine. That announcement was made on Thursday by Health Officer Dr. Barbara Brookmyer. Currently, the county is vaccinating front line medical professionals, nursing home residents and staff, first responders, front line judiciary staff, those in assisted and independent living facilities and other congregate facilities. Also included are those 75 and older; with the emphasis on those 75 and older.
But Dr. Brookmyer says right now there are more appointments for those 75 and older than there are people to fill them. So persons 65 and older who live and work in Frederick County are now eligible.
However, she says there is problem with limited vaccine supplies. . “The total that we’ve received between the Health Department, the hospital and the Frederick Community Action Agency is just 2,100 doses. That’s all combined that we have,” Dr. Brookmyer says.
The vaccines come from the state, which receives them from the federal government which purchases them from the vaccine manufacturers, Pfizer and Moderna.
County Executive Jan Gardner says it has a plan in place to administer the vaccines, but supplies are limited. “We have 260,000 people in Frederick County so it is a big task. And we did put together a plan where we can vaccinate 200,000 people which is our adult population twice over a 12-week period,” she said. “Again, we have a plan. We are ready go gear up. We are ready. But the challenge is that we have an incredibly small amount of vaccine being allocated to us each week.”
As of Thursday afternoon, the Health Department says 27,721 Frederick County residents–or 10% of the population–have received the first dose of the vaccine; and 7,905 residents–or 3% of the population–have received the second dose.
By Kevin McManus